Dax Shepard, host of the widely popular 'Armchair Expert' podcast, recently steered a conversation with Saturday Night Live comedian Marcello Hernández into unexpectedly personal territory. During Tuesday's episode, Shepard's curiosity about Hernández's professional relationship with pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter evolved into a direct inquiry about their romantic status, creating a moment that highlighted both the host's trademark candor and his guest's diplomatic poise.
Shepard opened the discussion by confessing a newfound admiration for Carpenter, an interest sparked by his daughter's enthusiasm for the singer's music. This revelation led him to research Carpenter's career, during which he discovered her multiple collaborations with Hernández on SNL. Most notably, Carpenter had participated in Hernández's recurring 'Domingo' sketches and even made a memorable appearance as the character during her own concert tour, where she playfully 'arrested' Hernández on stage.
These professional intersections, while clearly work-related, were enough to pique Shepard's interest. He began by asking Hernández whether he and Carpenter were 'pals,' giving the comedian space to discuss their collaborative history. Hernández took the opportunity to explain the mechanics of the 'Domingo' sketches and describe what it's like working with the pop star in a professional context.
But Shepard pressed further. In an unsolicited moment of romantic counsel, he offered a hypothetical scenario that put his guest in an awkward position. 'If I'm you again and I'm 28, I'm going to try to date her with all my might. Are you not trying your hardest to marry her?' Shepard asked, directly referencing Carpenter and making clear his assumption that Hernández would naturally be pursuing such a relationship.
Hernández's response demonstrated media savvy and emotional intelligence. Without appearing flustered, he immediately clarified his relationship status. 'I'm in a relationship,' he stated unequivocally. He then pivoted to praise his actual partner, offering specific details that underscored her accomplishments. 'Yeah, I'm in a relationship with a Dominican girl. She's an architect, she's unreal, she went to Yale.'
This girlfriend is Ana Amelia Batlle Cabral, a professional architect with an Ivy League education. While the couple has maintained a relatively low profile, they took their relationship public in July when Cabral joined Hernández on the red carpet for the 'Happy Gilmore 2' premiere. Reports suggest their romance began earlier, with some sources indicating they've been together since January 2025. Cabral's impressive credentials—Yale graduate and practicing architect—present a stark contrast to the typical Hollywood partner narrative, highlighting Hernández's connection to someone outside the entertainment bubble.
Despite shutting down speculation about Carpenter, Hernández ensured his colleague received proper credit. He described her as 'really funny and cool,' emphasizing her collaborative spirit. 'Sabrina's really, like, she's down — she's down to clown, she's down to think of something funny. She's an actress,' he elaborated. These comments framed their relationship as purely professional, built on mutual creative respect rather than romantic interest.
The exchange illuminates broader issues about celebrity culture and interview boundaries. Shepard's question, while perhaps meant playfully, reflected a common tendency to ship celebrities who display on-screen chemistry. Hernández's handling of the situation, however, provided a textbook example of how to navigate such moments with grace—directly addressing the misconception while celebrating his actual relationship and maintaining professionalism toward his colleague.
The 'Domingo' character has become one of Hernández's breakout roles on SNL, featuring a charismatic, slightly oblivious persona who finds himself in increasingly absurd scenarios. Carpenter's willingness to participate in these sketches, including her on-stage cameo, demonstrates her versatility and comfort with comedy. Her involvement suggests a professional respect for Hernández's work rather than any personal romantic connection.
Shepard's admission that his daughter introduced him to Carpenter's music also reveals something about cross-generational celebrity discovery. As parents engage with their children's cultural interests, they often develop their own fandoms, sometimes leading to unexpected moments like this podcast exchange. The host's description of being 'newly obsessed' with Carpenter mirrors how many adults have come to appreciate younger artists through their children.
The incident also underscores the challenges public figures face in maintaining relationship privacy. While Hernández and Cabral have appeared publicly together, they hadn't extensively discussed their relationship in mainstream media prior to this podcast. Hernández's decision to share specific details about Cabral's background—her Dominican heritage, architectural career, and Yale education—served to give the public a substantive narrative about his actual partner, effectively replacing speculation with facts.
Ultimately, the podcast moment resolved smoothly due to Hernández's skillful navigation. He accomplished multiple objectives simultaneously: clarifying his relationship status, celebrating his girlfriend's achievements, complimenting his colleague, and moving past an uncomfortable topic without creating tension. This deft handling reflects his experience in the public eye and his ability to manage potentially awkward situations.
The exchange also serves as a reminder that professional collaboration doesn't imply romantic involvement. In creative fields, strong working relationships are essential and common. Hernández's description of Carpenter being 'down to clown' emphasizes their shared commitment to comedy and performance—a professional bond rather than a personal one.
As the podcast continues to generate discussion, it offers a case study in modern celebrity interview dynamics. It shows how quickly speculation can arise from innocent professional interactions and demonstrates the value of direct, honest communication in addressing rumors. Hernández's approach—clear, factual, and respectful—provides a model for other public figures who might face similar situations.
The entertainment industry will continue to foster collaborations that spark fan theories and romantic speculation. However, this incident reminds audiences that behind performances are real people with real relationships deserving of respect. While Shepard's question created a brief awkward moment, it ultimately gave Hernández a platform to celebrate his actual partner and clarify his professional relationships—a positive outcome from an uncomfortable situation.